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2005 Ford F-350

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford F-350 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 93.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

94 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

8 reports
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125,688 miles · Mar 23, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WHILE PULLING A 30 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER TUCK SUDDENLY DIED CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. HAD IT TOWED TO A DIESEL SHOP WHO SCANNED TO FIND IT TO BE THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL AND FUEL PUMPS. THEY SAID THEY HAVE DONE REPEATED REPAIRS ON THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE S…

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WHILE PULLING A 30 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER TUCK SUDDENLY DIED CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. HAD IT TOWED TO A DIESEL SHOP WHO SCANNED TO FIND IT TO BE THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL AND FUEL PUMPS. THEY SAID THEY HAVE DONE REPEATED REPAIRS ON THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. VERY COSTLY REPAIR OVER $3000 AND 5 DAYS TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452770

139,041 miles · Mar 8, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2005 F350 HAS A FUEL FAILURE AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT 5 INJECTORS HAD FAILED AND I NEEDED THEY BLAME IT ON BIOFUEL, I HAVE ONLY USED ON ROAD DIESEL AND I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE IT HAD 25,000 MILES ON IT. AT THIS POINT IT IS $6000 TO REPAIR AND OF COURSE THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON IT. THIS IS A MAJOR C…

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MY 2005 F350 HAS A FUEL FAILURE AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT 5 INJECTORS HAD FAILED AND I NEEDED THEY BLAME IT ON BIOFUEL, I HAVE ONLY USED ON ROAD DIESEL AND I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE IT HAD 25,000 MILES ON IT. AT THIS POINT IT IS $6000 TO REPAIR AND OF COURSE THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON IT. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE THIS TRUCK CARRIES EXTREME LOADS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND A FUEL FAILURE AT 65 OR 70 WILL CAUSE YOU TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. WHEN YOU ARE CARRYING A BACKHOE AND HAVE A TRAILER THAT WEIGHS 6000LBS THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE WHOLE RIG IS RIGHT AT 35,000 POUNDS. THAT IS ENOUGH TO TAKE OUT AT LEAST 6 OR 7 CARS THAT HAVE STOPPED IN FRONT OF YOU. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450832

49,500 miles · Feb 15, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DELAMINATING AND CLOGGING THE FUEL FILTERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, NOR REPAIRED, BY THE DEALER. THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DELAMINATING AND CLOGGING THE FUEL FILTERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, NOR REPAIRED, BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,200.

NHTSA ODI #10448027

95,906 miles · Mar 4, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

ISSUE 1 - FUEL SPILLING OUT OF COOLANT SYSTEM. FUEL SPILLING ONTO EXHAUST COMPONENTS AND COATING ENGINE AND UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. CREATED A FIRE HAZARD. CREATED AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH IF A FIRE HAD STARTED.

NHTSA ODI #10388628

55,000 miles · Jan 10, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK ON THE VEHICLE WAS ERODING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK ON THE VEHICLE WAS ERODING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10375484

83,000 miles · Nov 17, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, FOUR FUEL INJECTORS MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE EXHAUST TO EMIT SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, FOUR FUEL INJECTORS MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE EXHAUST TO EMIT SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10366617

99,000 miles · Apr 22, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP REMEDIED THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE HIGH PRESSURE CUP LINK ON THE INJECTOR ACTIVATION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THI…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP REMEDIED THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE HIGH PRESSURE CUP LINK ON THE INJECTOR ACTIVATION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IF ALL THE POWER IS LOST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND FAILURE 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10266374

99,970 miles · Jan 20, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION MODULE AND RELAY SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN 10 MPH WITHOUT BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD A HIGH PRESSURE OIL LEAK, WHICH LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE RELAY SWITCH T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION MODULE AND RELAY SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN 10 MPH WITHOUT BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD A HIGH PRESSURE OIL LEAK, WHICH LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE RELAY SWITCH THIS REPAIR WAS RESOLVED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE ALSO FAULTY AND WERE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY THREE TIMES. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURES WOULD CONTINUE. . THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF HER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,970.

NHTSA ODI #10255769

Official recalls

1

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Jul 13, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08007 · Violent Front End Oscillation

Opened Mar 14, 2008 · Closed Mar 31, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Suspension:front

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PE07057 · Violent Front End Oscillation

Opened Nov 15, 2007 · Closed Mar 14, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.

Suspension:front

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.